Haunting, inexplicable, mesmerizing, gorgeous

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2004)

I truly cannot understand the comment above mine. I've seen this movie three times now and am at this very moment, watching it again on IFC. It is literature at its best. Tim Roth is remarkable. The musical score is exceptional. The setting is unique. The emotions are deep and haunting. Not many people are likely to discover this movie. It sneaked into release with hardly a sound. But those who find it will remember it all of their lives. Yes, it has imperfections, but then so does the Mona Lisa. This film led me into a musical exploration that hasn't stopped yet--an exploration of jazz piano music of the Jellyroll Morton, Fats Waller, Art Tatum variety. So I owe it a great debt, in addition to the gratitude I feel toward the filmmaker for creating it.